The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded $250,000 to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) www.uthouston.edu to help mobile health clinics in Houston use geographic, socio-economic, and epidemiological data in the mobile units.
More than 1,500 mobile clinics operating in the U.S handle more than 5 million visits per year, according to a report from HHS www.hhs.gov. The mobile clinics provide healthcare to at-risk populations in both urban and rural settings.
“The goal is to use advanced analytical techniques to propose a systematic expansion of this healthcare delivery model and maximize the use of their healthcare investment”, according to Rigoberto Delgado, PhD Co-Investigator for the project.
Researchers will use geographic information system technology and statistical software to analyze demographic and disease pattern data across Houston. This will help the researchers identify areas where mobile clinics could have the highest impact in target communities at the lowest cost.
The researchers with data will also be able to propose strategies to meet future healthcare demands in the most effective manner and identify potential new partners in health centers across Houston. The plan is to eventually expand the pilot program to three to eight mobile clinic programs at institutions across the Texas Medical Center program throughout the state.